This map visualizes income inequality across U.S. counties by comparing the average income of the wealthiest 20% of households to that of the poorest 20%. The inequality ratio is calculated by dividing the mean income of the fifth income quintile by the mean income of the first quintile. For example, a ratio of 8.5x means that, on average, the top 20% of earners in that county earn 8.5 times more than the bottom 20%. This ratio highlights the relative distribution of income, independent of absolute income levels.